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to be functioning effectively. The level of odour emission from the ACFS outlet situated on the roof itself is negligible and should not constitute any cause for complaint by nearby residents.
Following the concern expressed by the Yau Tsim District Board, the ACFS outlet was repositioned and directed towards the roof of the RCP in 1990. Furthermore, the frequency of replacing the filters used in this type of de-odourising system was increased, and these are now replaced at this RCP on a 4-monthly cycle, or even more frequently should this prove necessary.
Nevertheless, there have been periodic problems in the past over excessive smoke being emitted from the outlet of the vehicle exhaust system on the roof of the RCP. To rectify this situation, a new refuse collection vehicle has been deployed to collect refuse at this RCP. Furthermore, staff of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department carried out thorough cleansing and maintenance works to the vehicle exhaust system in early September 1991. During a joint inspection by staff of the Department and Environmental Protection Department on 17 September 1991, the emissions from the vehicle exhaust system were found to be normal and in order. Any possible nuisances that may have been emanating from this RCP should therefore have now been minimised.
MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The explanation given by Mr. PAO is rather regrettable. As Mr. PAO has just said the odour should not constitute any cause for complaint but unfortunately ever since 1989 until the 14th of June 1991, within these three years, we have been receiving complaints by the residents continuously regarding the emission of the odour from the RCP. So I hope the Department can follow-up this issue. Another point is that at the meeting on 14 June 1991, the departmental representative said that in view of the odour emission, the USD would consider resiting this RCP. So I would like to ask whether the USD is still considering the possibility of resiting this RCP or will they merely increase the frequency of replacing the filters?
(Mr. Frederick K. K. FUNG arrived at 2:43 p.m.)
MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ip has asked the USD to follow up on the question. Certainly we will ask the USD to monitor the situation more closely to see whether it has improved or not. But as far as I understand, there has been a marked improvement. As regards whether the RCP can be resited or not, I think we need to understand that there are several other RCPs in that area to provide refuse collection service in addition to the one at Battery Street, such as the one at Market Street, one at Parker Street and one at Man Cheong Street. Unfortunately, these RCPs are operating in almost a full capacity. So if we cancel the one at Battery Street, I am sure this will adversely affect the refuse collection services provided to the nearby residents. So in the near future, or even in our mid-term plan, we do not have any plans to resite this RCP mainly because we can't find another location to provide such service. Although there is a spare capacity in the Market Street RCP, yet this
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 56 of 126
97
to be functioning effectively. The level of odour emission from the ACFS outlet situated on the roof itself is negligible and should not constitute any cause for complaint by nearby residents.
Following the concern expressed by the Yau Tsim District Board, the ACFS outlet was repositioned and directed towards the roof of the RCP in 1990. Furthermore, the frequency of replacing the filters used in this type of de- odorising system was increased, and these are now replaced at this RCP on a 4-monthly cycle, or even more frequently should this prove necessary.
Nevertheless, there have been periodic problems in the past over excessive smoke being emitted from the outlet of the vehicle exhaust system on the roof of the RCP. To rectify this situation, a new refuse collection vehicle has been deployed to collect refuse at this RCP. Furthermore, staff of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department carried out thorough cleansing and maintenance works to the vehicle exhaust system in early September 1991. During a joint inspection by staff of the Department and Environmental Protection Department on 17 September 1991, the emissions from the vehicle exhaust system were found to be normal and in order. Any possible nuisances that may have been emanating from this RCP should therefore have now been minimised.
MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The explanation given by Mr. PAO is rather regrettable. As Mr. PAO has just said the odour should not constitute any cause for complaint but unfortunately ever since 1989 until the 14th of June 1991, within these three years, we have been receiving complaints by the residents continuously regarding the emission of the odour from the RCP. So I hope the Department can follow-up this issue. Another point is that at the meeting on 14 June 1991, the departmental representative said that in view of the odour emission, the USD would consider resiting this RCP. So I would like to ask whether the USD is still considering the possibility of resiting this RCP or will they merely increase the frequency of replacing the filters?
(Mr. Frederick K. K. FUNG arrived at 2.43 p.m.)
MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ip has asked the USD to follow up on the question. Certainly we will ask the USD to monitor the situation more closely to see whether it has improved or not. But as far as I understand, there has been a marked improvement. As regards whether the RCP can be resited or not, I think we need to understand that there are several other RCPs in that area to provide refuse collection service in addition to the one at Battery Street, such as the one at Market Street, one at Parker Street and one at Man Cheong Street. Unfortunately, these RCPs are operating in almost a full capacity. So if we cancel the one at Battery Street, I am sure this will adversely affect the refuse collection services provided to the nearby residents. So in the near future, or even in our mid-term plan, we do not have any plans to resite this RCP mainly because we can't find another location to provide such service. Although there is a spare capacity in the Market Street RCP, yet this
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